Technical Assistance to the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment.Mercury Exposure Study, Charleston, Tennessee

摘要

Workers at a chlor-alkali chemical plant were exposed to high levels of elementalmercury during a scheduled maintenance operation and transported mercury into their homes. Concerns about mercury exposure of the families of these workers prompted a health study to assess the extent of mercury exposure and to determine any association between levels of urine mercury and potential risk factors for exposure, such as household air and housekeeping activities, and recent dental fillings. The levels of urine mercury among household members of the exposed workers were within the reference range for the general population and were not indicative of mercury toxicity. The mean value of urinary mercury was 5.1 ng/ml. Individuals who lived in households that were vacuumed were more likely to have had higher levels of urine mercury than were those who did not. Floor washing was also associated with higher levels of urine mercury. The mean air level of mercury determined by 12-hour sampling in the homes of these families was 0.92 +